Iza Calzado

Born Maria Izadora Ussher Calzado, she was named after the American dancer Isadora Duncan. Her father was Lito Calzado, a choreographer and TV director. Her mother was Maria Antonia Ussher. She has an elder brother, Dash Calzado, who is a member of Legit Misfitz, a 1990s Pinoy rap group.

Calzado finished elementary at School of the Holy Spirit and high school at Miriam College. She went on to take her undergraduate degree in fine arts at the University of Santo Tomas.

Before entering show business, Iza Calzado worked as a dubber for the Venezuelan telenovela Mis 3 Hermanas (known in the Philippines as All My Love).

Calzado started out as a guest teen star in the youth-oriented show, Click, which led to further roles. She was cast in Kung Mawawala Ka as the drama's antagonist, Phoebe. She then starred in her first protagonist role as Rosela in Te Amo, Maging Sino Ka Man, with Argentinean actor Segundo Cernadas. In 2005, Calzado portrayed the iconic character of Amihan in the hit fantasy drama series Encantadia, with Sunshine Dizon, Karylle, Diana Zubiri, and Dingdong Dantes; Calzado would continue reprising the role of Amihan in the sequels Etheria: Ang Ikalimang Kaharian ng Encantadia and Encantadia: Pag-ibig Hanggang Wakas. She was later starred in the drama series Impostora (2007) and All About Eve (2009).

Outside TV projects, Calzado has starred in the films Milan (2004), Sigaw (2004), Moments of Love (2006), Batanes: Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan (2007), The Echo (a 2008 American movie remake of Sigaw), and One True Love (2008). On January 18, 2008, she received the "Model Star Award" for the Asia Model Award Festival held in South Korea.[14] In 2009, she hosted the Binibining Pilipinas 2009 beauty pageant.[15]

In 2010, Calzado did some hosting duties in Healthy Cravings on QTV with Jeremy Favia, and The Sweet Life on GMA with Lucy Torres. She also appeared in the dramas Pilyang Kerubin and Beauty Queen. In 2011, she took over the character previously played by Regine Velasquez in the romantic comedy I Heart You, Pare!. Calzado's last TV project with GMA Network was in the sitcom Andres de Saya with Cesar Montano.

On January 24, 2012, Calzado signed a three-year exclusive contract with ABS-CBN. She appeared in the drama anthology Maalaala Mo Kaya to mark her 10th year in show business, and was also seen on the Sunday variety show ASAP. Calzado's first ABS-CBN drama series was Kahit Puso'y Masugatan with Andi Eigenmann, Jake Cuenca and Gabby Concepcion.

A 2014 Maalaala Mo Kaya episode featured a teenage Iza Calzado, portrayed by Empress Schuck, shows the story of her weight struggles and how she resolved her obesity issues.[16] In the same year of 2014, Calzado hosted the reality program The Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition: Doubles, and she also starred with Piolo Pascual in the hit movie Starting Over Again and the family drama Hawak Kamay. In 2015, she made her theater debut in Sabel: Love and Passion.[17] She later made a guest appearance in the first few episodes of FPJ's Ang Probinsyano, and was starred in the drama movie Etiquette for Mistresses.

Later on, Calzado had been cast in two drama series, A Love to Last (2017) starring Ian Veneracion and Bea Alonzo, and Ngayon at Kailanman (2018) starring Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto. She was also in the Iflix's first original Filipino film, Mystified, wherein Calzado reunites with Encantadia co-stars Sunshine Dizon, Karylle and Diana Zubiri.[18] She also appeared in the 2019 film Culion with Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Meryll Soriano.[19]

In 2020, Calzado played Ellice in the drama Ang sa Iyo ay Akin, with Jodi Sta. Maria, Sam Milby, and Maricel Soriano. The production of Ang sa Iyo ay Akin lasted for almost a year, during the ABS-CBN shutdown and franchise denial in the COVID-19 pandemic.[20] On August 12, 2021, the day of her 39th birthday, Calzado is confirmed to join the newest TV adaptation of superhero series Darna, starring Jane de Leon.[21]

Calzado married businessman Ben Wintle in December 2018.[22]

During the first month of COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, Calzado was hospitalized on March 25, 2020, because of pneumonia. On March 28, she was tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).[23][24] On March 30, Calzado's manager Noel Ferrer announced that she already tested negative for COVID-19 and that she would be discharged from the hospital.[25]

On August 12, 2022, her 40th birthday, Calzado announced that she and Wintle were expecting their first child, a girl. Calzado gave birth to Deia Amihan on January 26, 2023.[26]

Calzado is described as an "acting marvel",[28] noted for her versatility in playing diverse roles—from romance, horror and heavy drama to psycho thriller.[29] She is celebrated as one of the most successful women in Philippine entertainment, garnering subsequent success and recognition in film and television.[30] She received widespread acclaim for her performance in Bliss (2017). Francis Joseph Cruz from Rappler praised her portrayal saying: "She is the heart of the film, the passive sufferer who can’t do anything but absorb the pain and pleasure."[31] She notably became a semi-finalist in the "Best Actress" category of the International Emmy Awards for her performance in Joaquin Bordado (2008).[32] Alex Castro, whom she worked with in the film Somebody to Love (2014) praised her high-caliber acting style[33] and stated that it motivated him to improve his craft in acting.[34]

She is also referred to as a "Gay Icon",[35] notable for her career-defining role as Sang’gre Amihan in Encantadia (2005-06). Kurt Alec Mira from Medium listed her among the "7 Pinoy gay icons we grew up loving" saying: "Every gay kid who watched the series probably acted as a sang’gre in their rooms behind their parents’ backs... Many pageant contestants started portraying Amihan in their costumes."[35] Social media personality AC Soriano cosplayed the iconic costume for Pride March.[36] She also received acclaim as the first Darna in Mars Ravelo's Darna (2022). Ryan Oquiza from Rappler called her as the one who stole the show saying that she "embodies the bravado of Anjanette Abayari and the gravitas of Angel Locsin."[37] Mike Diez from The Philippine Star praised her performance saying: "She brings weight to the character and exudes an aura of authority."[38]

Calzado has been an advocate for women empowerment, body positivity, mental heath and self-expression.[39] She is the co-founder of the organization She Talks Asia which aimed at "holding space for women and allies to continue stepping into their power."[40] The Swiss luxury watches and jewelry brand, Charriol, introduced the "Izadore bangle", named after her as part of the International Women's Month celebration.[41] She is also one of WWF-Philippines’ National Ambassadress, promoting causes that focus on environmental education, sustainable living, and raising awareness of issues related to climate change.[42]

• Iza Calzado at IMDb